A computer the size of a credit card may be the answer to the problem of obsolete devices.
Intel, the popular tech company known for its microprocessors and chipsets, has developed a modular computer looks like a credit card and can fit in the wallet, theoretically, that is. The aptly named Compute Card is described by CNET as too thick (at 5mm, it is thicker than five cards stacked on top of each other) to actually put inside a wallet.
The Intel Compute Card is all power packed in a 94.5mm x 55mm x 5mm device. Like a standalone computer, it runs on the 7th gen Intel Core Kaby Lake processor and has its own memory, storage, and wireless connectivity.
But because it's so tiny, it cannot connect to displays through USB-Type C or other ports. So far, it works only when slotted into a larger device similar to how smart cards work. According to PC World, the Compute Card is not geared toward PCs which is quite a questionable move. However, chances are high that Intel will make Compute Cards for PCs in the future.
Aside from its size, the thing that makes the Compute Card a device for the future is its potential to prevent devices from going obsolete. Instead of buying new computers or laptops each time they are upgraded, owners can simply upgrade the Compute Card and slot it in their devices.
"Device makers simply design a standard Intel Compute Card slot into their device and then utilize the best Intel Compute Card for their performance and price needs. This reduces the time and resources needed to design and validate the compute block and helps speed up innovation to bring the power of intelligence into an even wider range of devices", according to a statement from Intel.
Intel recently unveiled a number of updated processors including the 7th gen Kaby Lake CPU used in the latest and soon-to-be-released devices such as Samsung's Notebook 9 and Apple's 2017 iMac.
